Welcome from the Head Mistress
Welcome to Lady Eleanor Holles (LEH) and thank you for taking the time to find out more about our remarkable school.
LEH is a place of curiosity and adventure, where enthusiastic and bright young minds are encouraged to be bold and brave in their thoughts, actions, and dreams for the future. Pupils are given the encouragement, inspiration, and opportunity to experience new things, to take risks, and to innovate as they grow and discover more about themselves. They do this in the warmth and safety of a caring school community with mutual respect and positive relationships at its heart. We are proud to be a valuesdriven school, where difference is celebrated, and everyone feels like they belong.
Our curriculum is as broad as it is dynamic and is delivered alongside a varied programme of extracurricular and enrichment activities. Our pupils have the chance to explore different interests and passions, to be courageous in their intellectual endeavours, and to bring their ideas to life while playing an active role in shaping their school. They go forward with the skills and confidence to enrich the world around them in the years that follow.
Our students achieve excellent results academically, but this is not what defines them or LEH. The best way to understand the culture and character of LEH is to see us in action. Come along to one of our open events, meet our wonderful pupils, teachers and staff and see, first hand, what makes LEH a special place to be. I’ve no doubt you’ll experience what I felt the first time I walked through our doors: that LEH is a happy, confident yet relaxed school, full of energy, determination, and hope for the future.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
Rowena Cole Head Mistress
A school full of opportunities, challenges and friendships
We want LEH to be a place where students take risks and become bold; a place where they can discover their passions and talents. They can only do this in a culture where they feel safe, supported and respected by the entire school community.
That’s why we encourage our pupils to experiment and express opinions; why we give them the freedom to be exactly who they are, supported by strong role models and inspired by their peers.
In doing so, they build the skills they need to succeed throughout their lives. They stretch themselves to become their best, most confident selves – as students, and as citizens of the world.
“This is a school that constantly reminds girls they can do anything if they put their minds to it.”
Good Schools Guide
Balancing mind, body and spirit
We want your daughter to achieve her academic, creative and athletic potential. We also want her to be happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled. That’s why we’re here with her through every success and failure, the good times and the not-so-good ones too.
We make pastoral care our priority
We believe wellbeing is essential for everyone in our community. The cornerstone of our pastoral care is creating a healthy sense of self, providing a wellbeing toolkit, promoting kindness and self-compassion, and encouraging our pupils to be the best versions of themselves.
Once a year, the whole school comes off timetable to celebrate Wellbeing Day, which aims to help pupils explore strategies to find balance and fulfilment in their sometimes hectic lives.
LEH Life Advice
The LEH Life Advice programme is a planned, developmental system of PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) learning through which pupils acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future. As part of a whole school approach, our programme underpins everything we do academically, developing the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and mindful members of society.
There’s always someone here to listen
Every pupil has a Form Tutor who acts as her mentor, someone they meet every day who helps her excel academically, nurtures her individual talents and supports her emotional needs. Heads of Year and senior members of staff provide additional pastoral care, which is seen as a priority and is integrated into every aspect of school life.
We have a full-time counselling service and pupils can refer themselves at any time. Our two friendly school nurses are
always on hand and our trained Sixth Form Peer Mentors are available for lunchtime chats and organise helpful information sessions on a range of issues. They wear badges so they can be easily identified by younger pupils.
Friendships that last a lifetime
Our year groups are close knit and have a real sense of identity, and the House system provides opportunities for leadership and for making friends across the School. The friendships pupils forge will form an essential support network in the years to come, beyond LEH and in the world of work.
We take online security very seriously
We have a dedicated member of staff who is our Digital Safety Coordinator. Our ‘digital mentor’ system trains Sixth Form Digital Leaders and Form Group Reps to talk to younger pupils and their peers about staying safe online and using social media wisely.
Parents can talk to us
As well as timetabled meetings during the year, parents can speak to the Head Mistress, Deputy Head (Pastoral), Heads of Section, or Heads of Year if they have concerns. Their contact details are on the Parent Portal. Wellbeing Wednesday online parent talks are organised every term on a range of current issues. These are given by specialist speakers with the aim of supporting parents who are having conversations with their teenagers on topics such as festivals, nutrition, sleep and sibling rivalry.
“An ethos of kindness and social awareness percolates throughout the school.”
ISI Report, 2022
A day in the life of...
My day at LEH starts with a coach drive to school. This is a chance for me to laugh and talk with friends and discuss homework. We arrive at the gates with plenty of time to spare, before an 8:45am registration; we take a trip to the School’s Tuck Shop for a snack, or we relax in the Form room and pack for the day.
First lesson of the day is PE. In the winter, we play lacrosse or netball, and we get the chance to swim in the amazing pool. It’s huge and I find it unbelievable that we have that opportunity. However, today we are doing athletics, where you never know what you might be doing: whether it’s galloping over hurdles, propelling a javelin, or launching yourself into a long jump pit, you’re guaranteed to have fun. My next lesson is Spanish. I love learning languages at LEH as it’s so stimulating and fun. I do Latin, Spanish and German, although you can also do French.
After a break time catching up with friends, it’s time for Science. We all get particularly excitable when experiment equipment is laid out as we enter. There is a technician who sets everything up for us. I’ve got Textiles after – we’re sewing iPad cases!
At lunch time, we’ve got over an hour to eat and maybe go for a sunny walk around the spacious grounds or take part in one of over 100 clubs. The Dining Hall has plenty of seating space and if the weather is nice, my friends and I sit and eat
in the lovely courtyard. There is a salad bar, pasta bar, jacket potatoes, loads of hot food options, soup, puddings and, the recent and my favourite addition, the Build-Your-Own Sub sandwich bar!
My last three periods are English, Maths and Geography. I don’t have a least favourite subject, but I really enjoy Maths and English. In English, we study books and write in many forms. In Maths we use our iPads to answer questions and complete fun tasks. In Geography we might take a trip outside or do exercises in our books.
Last bell rings at 4pm and the 4.15pm coach beckons. Twice a week I do a sports club after school, like my lacrosse training. Luckily, I don’t need to worry about parents picking me up as we have a 6pm late coach home!
A pupil in Thirds (Year 7)
Life at LEH: Senior School
The challenges your daughter will meet at our Senior School, and the support she will receive, have a common purpose: to stimulate her growth as an individual and member of society.
We’ll encourage her to develop balanced study habits and cultivate a genuine passion for learning – qualities that will stand her in good stead wherever the future takes her.
The first three years
We offer a broad curriculum that includes traditional subjects such as Modern and Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Humanities, Science, Arts, PE and Design Technology. The pupils also receive extensive training in computing, and our state of the art product design and computing facilities lead the way in the teaching of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.
The GCSE years
Your daughter can then tailor a programme of study that aligns closely with her strengths and interests. Typically, she will study ten subjects, including English, Mathematics, the sciences, one modern language and a humanity. All of the options are listed below.
Extra-curricular activities
Sport, music, drama and the creative arts flourish, with regular opportunities for individual and collaborative performance and practice.
Support at every stage
Weekly Life Advice lessons equip our students with the skills they need to navigate an increasingly complex emotional landscape with self-knowledge, the courage to be authentic, and a respect for both others and themselves. External speakers who are experts in their field are invited in to give talks on a range of relevant and important topics, and a specialist provider delivers our bespoke RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) programme. In addition, Mindfulness lessons are a key part of our wellbeing toolkit. Our students emerge from their time here as active and engaged citizens of the world, with a real desire to make a positive difference.
Our academic subjects include (up to GCSE):
• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Classical Greek (L5)
• Computer Science
• D&T: Product Design
• Art & Design: Textiles (Thirds to U4 only)
• Drama
• English
• Food Preparation and Nutrition
• French
• Geography
• German
• History
• Latin
• Mandarin (U4)
• Mathematics
• Music
• PE GCSE (L5)
• Physics
• Religious Studies
• Spanish
“Pupils are risk takers, seeing failure as a valuable and inevitable part of learning.”
ISI Report 2022
Life at LEH: Sixth Form
The subjects that students study in the Sixth Form will create the bedrock of their Sixth Form experience. They also benefit from a range of other opportunities, challenges and trips.
We offer 24 different subjects at A level and encourage pupils to study for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This is highly valued by universities, giving students the opportunity to explore their chosen topic more deeply.
Our curriculum includes:
• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Classical Civilisation (from Sept 2024)
• Computer Science
• Drama & Theatre
• Economics
• English Literature
• French
The lessons they learn by taking part in activities such as sport, music, drama, Young Enterprise, Model United Nations and mentoring will deepen and enrich their outlook on the wider world. They develop leadership skills by taking on roles within our House system and on committees, such as the Charity Committee and our Peer Mentoring scheme. These will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
• Geography
• German
• Greek
• History
• History of Art
• Latin
• Mandarin
• Mathematics
• Further Mathematics
Around the core of academic subjects lie the many and varied activities which make Sixth Form at LEH so special. Enrichment lessons, joint with Hampton School, are offered in a wide variety of subjects, while Senior Café sessions outside speakers from many fields. Our specialist Sixth Form facilities include two common rooms, a coffee bar and Sixth Form library.
• Music
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Politics
• Product Design
• Psychology
• Spanish
“There is so much more freedom, opportunities for independent learning and stronger relationships with teachers. You are a role model for younger years.”
Upper Sixth Leaver
Preparation for University and beyond
We do everything we can to prepare our pupils for life after LEH. Part of that is making sure they’re ready to attend their chosen university and pursue the career of their dreams.
We host annual careers and higher education fairs. We have a large Careers Team who support them every step of the way, from choosing the right A levels and completing their UCAS form, to advising on work experience and getting ready for interviews. Furthermore, if they’re hoping to apply for Oxbridge, medical school, or overseas universities, they’ll get expert advice from subject specialists.
That’s why most of our students take up offers to study at Russell Group universities and why we are ranked amongst the top London schools when it comes to gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge.
“Brilliant Careers Department. They have your best interests at heart.”
Upper Sixth Leaver
“Legendary for sports.”
Good Schools Guide
We wear our colours with pride
There are lots of activities on offer at LEH, but we’re particularly proud of our achievements in sport, music, and drama.
We have a long standing reputation for sporting prowess, and our beautiful grounds and exceptional facilities allow most sports to be played on site.
LEH students have been very successful at regional and national level in lacrosse, netball, rowing, gymnastics and swimming. There is a wide variety of sporting activities that are open for all students to participate in, whether to enjoy socially, for health benefits, or to engage in competition. Many of our students compete in teams and have regular fixtures locally and wider afield. We also offer the opportunity to participate and compete in biathlon and badminton. We are lucky to be able to offer athletics, tennis, cricket, football and fencing and pupils have further opportunities in yoga, pilates and trampolining (to name a few) further up the school. Our ethos is very much around encouraging pupils to foster an active and healthy lifestyle and ensuring that sport and PE is fun and engaging for all.
Over the last few years we have had many students representing sports to National level. These include the following:
• GB Gymnastics squad and England National 17-21 squad
• GB U15 National Swimming
• England Tumbling 17-21 team
• GB open age group National Swimming
• U19A England Team for lacrosse
• U19B England Team for lacrosse
• U19 Scottish Team for lacrosse
• U19A Wales Team and U20 Wales Team for lacrosse
• National Gold and Bronze medallist in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
• National Schools Rowing Regatta Champions 2019 and 2021
• U16 GB Karate European Championships
• U14 England Fencing Squad
We’re serious about drama
Whether it’s touring an original piece of theatre to local primary schools, staging a West End musical with the boys from Hampton School, or running a show backstage with our technical team, we encourage all our pupils to take part, test themselves, and enjoy everything the department has to offer!
In recent years we have staged musicals including Legally Blonde and Mary Poppins; we’ve continued to commission professional playwrights to write new plays for large female casts as part of our Write the Girl initiative. These full-scale productions allow all students to work alongside our partner schools and gain professional training from these writers. Students can further their training as part of our Speech and Drama programme that offers students 1:1 tuition through
Acting, Prose and Public Speaking. Specialist teaching staff guide our students through examinations gaining fantastic results and UCAS points as they enter upper school.
We regularly host workshops and training from industry leading practitioners such as Splendid & Paper Birds, and in the past have taken 80 students to New York City as part of the Performing Arts tour.
All of this work takes place in and around our stunning 240 seat theatre: it is a flexible space at the heart of the Arts Centre, which includes a rehearsal suite, studio theatre, green room and seminar room, as well as the Music and Art Departments.
“Drama ‘very slick’ - ‘save yourself a trip to the West End’, parents urged.”
Good Schools Guide
We make world-class music
LEH has a fizzing Music Department with a myriad of orchestras, ensembles, choirs, jazz bands, chamber music and rock bands. Its top choir, The Holles Singers won the title of Youth Choir of the Year in the Choir of the Year Competition and has toured Budapest, Venice and New York. The weekly music rehearsals culminate in dazzling concerts throughout the year. The groups are designed to inspire musicians from absolute beginners right up to the post-diploma whizzes and produce uproariously brilliant performances.
At lunchtimes, our numerous practice rooms in the purpose-built Music Department are full to bursting with instrumentalists and singers, keen to hone their performances for the next concert or simply blow off steam. Our pianists can play on our Steinway Concert Grand and we use our state-of-the-art Recording Studio to record our musicians for posterity. From Bach to Shostakovich, from Orfeo to Wicked, there’s never a dull moment in the Music Department!
Individual music lessons are currently available in the instruments listed below.
Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
Bassoon
Saxophone
Trumpet
Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Orchestral Percussion
Kit Percussion
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
Classical Guitar
Rock Guitar
Bass Guitar
Piano
Jazz Piano
Harp
Singing
Musical Theatre Singing
Music Technology
Jazz Theory
Improvisation
“We lost count of how many choirs there were... Orchestras and ensembles galore, with bands ranging from rock and pop to jazz.”
We’re proud to be one of the oldest girls’ schools in the UK
Our story began in 1710, when Lady Eleanor Holles, daughter of the second Earl of Clare, left instructions in her Will for a trust for our endowment as a Christian foundation.
We were first located in the Cripplegate Ward of the City of London (a plaque on one of the Barbican walkways marks the original site). We then went on to occupy other premises in the City until 1878, when we moved to Hackney. HRH Princess Alice, the then Duchess of Gloucester, opened our current purpose-built premises in Hampton in 1937.
Over the years, LEH has grown into a girls’ school of national standing; one that produces pupils who combine academic excellence with integrity, confidence, courage and conviction; students that exemplify the School motto, Spes Audacem Adjuvat (Hope Favours The Bold). Many of the virtues that we aim to develop in our pupils are reflected in the School coat of arms, below.
The Lady Eleanor Holles School Coat of Arms
Hand symbolises pledge of faith, sincerity and justice
Cloud symbolises mystery, obscured truth
Shield shape is Medieval
Holly symbolises truth, foresight and defence
Closed or tilted helm, used by medieval knights, also adopted by English esquires and gentlemen
Furs on a shield suggest a mark of dignity
Castle symbolises spiritual strength and vigilance, as well as home and safety
Red Strength and magnanimity
Silver or White Peace and sincerity Green Hope, joy and loyalty in love
Boarding school facilities, in a day school
It’s hard to believe we’re just ten miles from central London. We’re home to four lacrosse pitches, eight outdoor netball courts, six grass tennis courts and a croquet lawn. In our Gateway Building, there’s a massive sports hall, an activities studio, a strength and conditioning studio and an indoor swimming pool.
There are no shops or crowded snack bars to distract students; the Sixth Form have their own in-house coffee shop. It’s the kind of environment where they can focus their minds and get their work done and dusted.
Whether they’re 7 or 17, students benefit from having the freedom to make the most of our exceptional facilities.
However, when students want to take a break, they only need to step outside and make the most of our 24 acres of green space. We encourage them to stay healthy by taking in the wide range of sports and extra-curricular activities on offer.
“The facilities here are second to none for a girls’ day school.”
Good Schools Guide
A single-sex education, with strong links to Hampton School
It has been proven that girls’ schools like LEH give young women the edge. That’s why we believe that students thrive in an environment like ours, where they’re free to experiment, express opinions, explore and take on new challenges.
At LEH, students are supported by strong role models and inspired by their peers. However, we also know how important it is for students to work together in a variety of contexts. That’s why we have strong and ever-growing
links with our neighbours at Hampton School. Sixth Form students have reciprocal access to Common Rooms during breaks and we regularly hold joint activities throughout the Senior School. Sixth Form Peer Mentors from both schools co-create and jointly deliver Life Advice (PSHE) sessions to Lower Four forms each year.
Our extensive, shared coach network means that transport to and from both schools is made easy, not only for the pupils, but for their hardworking parents.
“Almost feels co-ed without the distraction of having boys in the actual classroom. What could be better!”
LEH Parent
Joint events and activities:
• Curriculum Enrichment in the Lower and Upper Sixth
• Hampton and LEH Leadership Course
• Interview preparation, Careers and Higher Education Fairs
• Mentoring programme for GCSE pupils from local schools
• Language exchange visits
• Lectures and talks
• Community activities including Service Volunteers
• Charity events
• A joint Sixth Form expedition
• Whole school music and drama productions
Joint clubs and societies:
• Robotics Club and competitions
• Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Bass Choir (SATB Choir), Dance and Musical Theatre
• Sixth Form drama productions
• Philosophy Enrichment
• The Choral Society
• Joint music groups including the Brass Band, Orchestra and Choir
• Combined Cadet Force (CCF) run by LEH and includes Hampton School and Hampton High
• Shared Boat House.
Giving, and getting, something back
We want LEH students to be passionate about their interests. We encourage them to make their mark on both the school and the wider community by taking part in a range of extra-curricular activities, including:
• Young Enterprise
• Economics Club
• Business Challenge competitions
• Senior Café
• Photography
• Robotics
• Literary Society
• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
• Chess
• Bridge
• Creative Writing
• Current Affairs
• Eco-squad
• Pride Club
• Inclusion Club
In previous years, pupils have formed their own clubs, ranging from a Medics’ Reading Group to a Feminist Society. Sixth Formers often lead activities for younger students in areas like languages, engineering and even Zumba.
Community projects
Our students are generous with their time and contribute to the local community. We offer:
• Mentoring schemes
• SHINE (Serious Fun on Saturdays) programme
• Digital Mentors
• Service Volunteers
• Mini-MUN Conference introducing global issues to pupils from six local state schools
• Leading and managing lunchtime activities at local schools
Leadership opportunities
There are lots of roles of responsibility available in the Sixth Form, including:
• Head Girl Team
• Leadership Committee
• House Captains and Vice Captains
• Mentors to Thirds
• Sports Captains
• Charity Committee
• Creative Directors
• Digital Mentors
• Drama Captain
• Technical Theatre Captain
• MUN (Secretary General and Secretariat)
• Choral Music Captain
• Orchestral Music Captain
• SHINE Mentors
• Departmental Reps
• Careers Ambassadors
• Eco-squad
• Mindfulness Ambassadors
• Library Reps
• Inclusion Champions
• Peer Mentors
• STEM Reps
• HALE Reps (Humanities, Arts, Languages & English)
Life after LEH
During its 300-year history, LEH has been proud to educate thousands and thousands of outstanding pupils who have all gone on to shape and change the world around them.
Attending LEH gives students so much more than a top-class education. Their time here instils a sense of confidence, strength and resilience that stays with them long after they leave. We are every bit as proud of our alumnae and all they go on to achieve, as we are of our pupils while they attend school. We continue to support and champion them always.
Our alumnae include the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador; the MD of You Tube UK; one the scientists responsible for developing one of the first Covid vaccines; Radio 1's longest running DJ; the Creative Director of Apple TV Europe; an Olympic swimmer; a High Court judge; one of the first women to sail round the world; an Oscar nominated actor; and a National Boxing champion, plus plenty of others all as equally impressive in their own ways.
LEH stays with you
At the end of Sixth Form, you might leave LEH, but LEH will never leave you!
Sign up to Holles Connect in the Upper Sixth to unlock a lifetime of LEH support –from career mentors to work experience and from reunion events to grants.
Holles Connect is our alumnae community for all former pupils of LEH. In addition to in-person reunion and networking events, it’s online and across social media.
Holles Connect champions all our Remarkable Women at LEH and beyond.
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Exclusive memberships of University and Industry Clubs
Catching up with friends and contemporaries at reunions
Raising up the next generation of bold alumnae with our careers mentoring programme.
Making new connections at Industry networking events
Updates of School news and alumnae in the headlines
Our Be Bold Grant supports alumnae who are making a positive change to their local community and beyond.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
